At the New Dimensions Show this weekend I had Garrett from GIAC personally help flash my ECU! WOW even though the 8 hp gain doesnt seem like a lot, the fueling and the strength of the pull throughout the whole powerband is well worth the investment! Coupled with the Alta 15% pulley, and Alta intake, the MINI has taken on a whole new feel.

All I need now is to contemplate JCW injectors!

I can honestly say that it was a smooth, quick and easy install and I know that the more I drive, the more happy I will feel pulling with the E46 M3's, like I did this past weekend... SHHhhhhhh....

Thanks to ****@ DSR (Dynospot Racing), Garrett himself, and New Dimensions for the great discount!

 

Great news Itsdchz, so how much is JCW injector will cost??

 

I am refraining from looking......

 

Wow I can't wait for my ECU choice.. I want the feeling you have .. congrats!!!

I'm wondering though, let's say you want your stock ECU programming. Will this still be possible? Is it reversible? or is it one directional?

thanks

///Gilbert

 

Congrats. I've seen nothing but positive feedback on the GIAC. I can't wait to get mine. I didn't think you needed larger injectors until you had either headwork or were at least -17%, though. Why not go for a cat-back or intercooler next?

 

JCW Injector's are about $100-110 a piece, so about $400 for the set of 4 :smile: .

 

Being the ECU is flashable, when you go to the dealer and they "update" your software, (usually done at a regular service interval if you do not have the most updated ECU program) the GIAC is lost. But you are considered a lifetime GIAC customer, and therefore drive right back to your GIAC tuner, and take 15 minutes to reflash... Easy, and will not cause conflict with your dealer!!

 

Itsdchz,
Glad you like the GIAC. What you are feeling is the improved torque which Garrett worked long and hard on getting right.

Currently with a 15% reduction pulley you don't NEED JCW injectors. The GIAC is not tuned for them until you have the GIAC for the 17% or 19% pulley upgrade (and smaller belt).

What might make more sense is a Cat-back exhaust, suspension mods, or lighter rims.

 

Garrett himself said that the JCW injectors would double my power improvement from the chip (8hp before injectors, roughly 16hp after injectors). You are right you dont NEED them, but the gains are there.. He was insistant that it would be a great addition to the chip and if I did 17% or 19%, the gains would be that much better!


On the 05' model the benefits of an exhaust are marginal as the exhaust is very well done in the 05', and not my sig, suspension AND lighter wheels have already been in place...

 

That's interesting info for sure. I'd especially like to hear others weigh in on the benefits of replacing the exhaust in an '05 MCS. I have also wondered whether the '05 exhaust might make more power than previous years.

 

i got the GIAC software about a month ago in Cali. i tried to top out my speedo on the way back to phx, az, but only got up to 135 on 5th gear, damn i wanted to see what 6th would do. damn it!! oh well, it's worth the $$$

 

Interesting.

 

I would love for someone to try to explain this one to me...

Since you're not changing fuel pressure, it would have to be an injector cycle issue (in which case you would NEED larger ones) or an issue with spray pattern. Or am I missing something else?

 

I had my software updated by the dealer and there was absolutely no effect on the GIAC tuning.......didn't have to have it reflashed.

 

So has anyone heard when there might be a do it yourself GIAC software install? Being in the middle of nowhere, I haven't done this mod yet.


Nik

 

Is there anyway to substantiate this claim? It seems as though all other flash-based ECU upgrade programs have had to be re-flashed everytime that the dealer upgraded the code. I have first hand knowledge of this, having lived through the Powerchip / Webb debacle. I've since sworn off all ECU upgrades for the MINI for that very reason.

 

Very happy to hear about a GIAC chip. Had one in my VR6 and loved it. Very trusted and I know they do the R&D BEFORE they issue the chip, unlike other ECU 'tuners'.

This will be kept in mind, but how to get it by the wife. She already complains about driving the car after I have it for the weekend and the ECU has adapted to my style of driving. :D

I haven't been able to prove this actually happens but she claims it is true. This was before I told her of the ECU learning your driving style.

 

I'd like to know too. If you have to reflash after every dealer visit that would be quite a hassle (and if you have a 19% w/larger injectors you'd want to get it done asap, but not alwasy possible). I know you don't need a reflash on the GIAC chips for VW/Audi. Maybe the fact that it's a reprogram and not a piggyback makes that possible.

 

Being that MINI has so many updates, Garrett wanted to leave it so there wasnt a hassle with MINI as they have a habit of replacing the ECU when they cannot reflash it... On your dime....

Lastly Garrett will NOT be issuing a flashloader in the DIY format, as the coding is not something he wants to float around to other parties...

 

So where can we get it done, is it something you can do by mail????

Nik

 

I initially had Eric at Helix13 upgrade my car with a 15 percent pulley and noticed a huge improvement. The GIAC software was added about a week later. First rate software - didn't see a lot of horsepower improvement in my '05 MCS - but it's a whole heck of a lot smoother - in fact I compared it to an '03 MCS JCW and it's as smooth if not smoother than the '03 JCW software. I'll be curious to see what the JCW CAI will be like with the stock injectors and the 15 percent pulley.

 

Yes, by mailing your ECU or bringing in your MINI to Helix13 in Philly.
Call 1-877-HELIX13 and talk to Eric about GIAC for your MCS with pulley.
Different versions available for various size pulleys.

I talked to Eric about using larger injectors for 15% pulley and GIAC and he said he will talk to Garrett about that.

Eric did confirm that the 05' MCS exhaust is "different" than earlier model years and that it could be a source of better performance but that he has not dynoed it nor tried the "One ball" on the 05' exhaust yet- he's too busy.

 

It screams with the Alta intake! Granted the software is really only good for 8hp, but it is a true HP, but gives you the linear gain the whole way through!

 

Any confirmation on this?
Helix is almost 6 hrs away. Not exactly a day trip for me.
That's the only reason I haven't been there already.

Eric? Can you second that?

 

What exactly are you saying here?